Syracuse firefighters respond to fire in vacant, three-story apartment building on Lilac Street

At least six Syracuse fire department trucks and dozens of firefighters responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. tonight to a third-floor fire at a vacant apartment house at 125-127 Lilac Street.

Neighbors called 911 after smelling smoke and seeing flames at the building. An ambulance also responded to the scene to the fire on the city's North Side.

The fire was put out by 11:40 p.m. Deputy Fire Chief Bill Mitson said no one was in the building and there were no injuries. He said the third floor was completely destroyed. Firefighters had not yet determined the cause, he said.

Next-door neighbor Liz Ferree said the house has been empty since November and the electricity had been shut off.

Nevertheless, a couple had been staying at the house on the third floor in recent weeks, living as squatters, Ferree said. They were getting in and out via a fire escape, she added.